The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-08-26


and try to give my whole al ten.
tion TO my devotiOnS, and steadily
resist the temptation to study my
opposite nelgh5or until my thumb
and Elias were touching each 9th.
er under the anthem book.
Then l look across once more and
am startled to meet the steady gize
of IL pair of keen, clear gray eyes
fixed on my sister. elias color
deepens uuder the scrutiny of which
she speedily becomes aware. Then
she suddenly looks across full at
the stranger, "A bright ray of inSpi-
ration illnmlneS her lovely face, aud
AS we sit down she whispers eager
ly: "The man whose photo is OIL
papa's mantelpiece! | knew had
seen him somewhere !"
Twenty minutes later we are
standing IN the cloister talking to
our newly found acquaintance as if
We had only parted yesterday.
For Sir Francis Ferrars is one of
our fathers dearest friends, and
though We have not met for ten
years, even Ella as soon as she
hears his voice, has some Shadowy
recollection OF the good natured sol
dier who used to patrouize her in
the old days of childhood. He has
only just arrived in England after
ten years of absence; nine of which
have been Spent in India. For the
last few months his name has been
prominent among our heroes OF the
SoudaIi.
Sir Francis sraSps my hand with
friendly warmth and asserts that
he we'll remembers his little friend
Oracle; but he looks long aud
searchingly into Elias dark eyes,
as if in them he found some treas
ure unseen for many a long year.
The color mautleS III her sweet tacp,
as at last he turns away murmnr-
ing: "How like-hOw very like you
are to your sister | could fancy
it was the same tace-only-'
(which Z" demands Ella, in her
peremptory fashion. "Llke Words
worth famous family, Eve are sew
en- and | don't know to which of
my -four sisters you may be allnd-
ing.N
''The eldest-MiSs Trevelyan-
Janet. Wien | left England she
was tue exact image OF what .yOu
are now.
'Janet!' The bare notion tbat
our staid, prim, somewhat severe
elder sister could ever have pos
Sessed ELIAS cheruU like beauty is
incomprehensib BILE To us both. In
voluntarily we exch Inge glinceS of
dmazement. Sir Francis perceiveS
his mistake, aud niOves hastily.
"WeIl must gO-my things are
at tho Knights Shield. | could
not help running dOwn the first fine
day after we landed, for your father
is my oldest aud IeareSt friend, and
ten years ofexie have not cooled
our triendship-On my side at
least"
"Nor on HIS" | answer eagerly.
"But don't go TO the hotel; come
home raight with US. The pony |
cart holds FOUR
"PIease do. Papa will 6e over
joyed."
Sir Francis hesltates; meets Ell
las pleading eyes and consents,
though it is no easy matter TO curl
up his legs ia the small back seat
which he insists OIL sharing with |
Tom, our groom. In less than bali
an hour we are at our own door.
My father comes out hurrledly to
see who our fourth passenger may
be, aud then there are joyful excla !
nations OF "Frdnk I! dear old boy,
this is too delightful To be true y
"Trevelyau, it does my heart good
to see your face once more" Aud
in the hall shaded aud cool alter he
sunny glare, janet meets us aud
see Sir Francis bend his stately
head as he takes her Outstretched
hand, but [ caUnOt hear the words
OF greeting.
A moment later Janet is at her
usual post by the tea taUle, and |,
stealing a glance at ber, observe
that she is deeply flushed, aud that
the hands with which she moves the
cups are trembling visably. 1t
would seem that the arrival of his
friend had awakened new spring
oF Efain my father
"YOu must take a shooting box
and settle near US, Frank, he cried,
rubbing his bands. "rhere'S
10 be had-it is quite
time your fightiug days were over"
Sir Francis smiles, but avoids a
direct answer; aud soon that little
witch Ella has decoyed him to her
side again, aud is carrying him Off
to be Initiated into the mysteries OF
tennis.
Our young neighbOr, Edgar Holt,
has dropped in luO intrequent Oc-
curreucel aud am called TO make
up the set. AS | pass through the
open window, cast glance back
at Janet, sitnng alone by her emp
iy tea cups. A pang seizes me as |
notice bow thin aud wOrn-yes,
here is no Disgusting it-hoW old
Dur sister looks. IA
The days go by, and still Sir
Francis fingers At BROOKE Id. Papa
has from the 6rst Insisted on send
ng for his luggages bis future
plans seem vague aud be stays On,-
,askiug in the beauty Of The sun.